(19)

(11)

EP 1 062 376 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 27.12.2000 Bulletin 2000/52 (21) Application number: 99936100.9 (22) Date of filing: 26.02.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C23C 10/36, B22F 1/02 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9900/586 (87) International publication number: WO 9943/862 (02.09.1999 Gazette 1999/35)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB IE IT LI NL SE (30) Priority: 26.02.1998 GB 9803970 (71) Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM Edgbaston,Birmingham B15 2TT (GB)	(72) Inventors: HARRIS, Ivor, Rex Selly Park,Birmingham B29 7JA (GB) SPEIGHT, John, Donald Framlingham,Suffolk IP13 9QE (GB) (74) Representative: Pearce, Anthony Richmond  Marks & Clerk,Alpha Tower,Suffolk Street Queensway Birmingham B1 1TT Birmingham B1 1TT (GB)